Our brothers-in-arms over at Consumer Reports just released their not-so-creatively titled "Top Picks" for 2008. Surprises? A few. For starters, CR chose the Hyundai Elantra SE as their top Small Sedan. We'd of course pick the Mazda 3 instead– and they even admit the Mazda handles better– but CR feels you get more safety stuff for your buck. Who knew? And man, how far has the Civic fallen? Want to guess what car scored highest ever on the Consumer Reports road test? Why it's the Lexus LS 460L. Not only did the big limo score 99 out of a possible 100 points, but it's a top pick in the Luxury Sedan category. I spent some time with the hybrid version, and I'd have to give it 99 out of 100, too. If you didn't count handling. If you did include handling I'd score it 99 out of 110, as the car moves like a submarine. The Chevrolet Silverado beat out the Toyota Tundra in their Pickup Truck category. In point of fact, the Tundra scored more points, but the first-year Japanese V8 has been having reliability problems, so the Chevy got the nod. Go figure. Not so surprising is the Mazda MX-5 Miata beating out the Porsche Boxster in the Fun to Drive category. Consumer Reports reports that the Miata does everything the Boxster does, but for half the price. I agree with that, though the Boxster gets better gas mileage. And smells better. No, really.
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Looks like they are sticking with their “Toyota now has quality problems” statement from a few months back.
I’m eating crow about the LS460 – I’ve bashed it regarding styling and handling to others. While I still think the styling isn’t strong enough (I am not saying gaudy like BMW’s designs) for a flagship, if you don’t approach it as a driver’s car, gas her up in NYC and have a nice relaxing drive to Los Angeles. The Lexus was just made for that. Good call by CR for that one.
Oh yes, does anyone remember the top ranked CR car in the early 2000’s?
Yes, the BMW 5-series.
How the mighty have fallen.
I believe the Infiniti M-series had the crown for a couple of years straight with the MX-5 and Boxter right behind.
They’re falling in line with the IIHS; standard stability control gets major consideration at CR. That said, they should consider the “fun to drive” factor as well, and take off a few points if the ESC is not ‘defeatable’.
Really? The flat 6 Boxster gets better mileage than a 4 cuyl Miata? I’ll have to confirm that with Karesh’s TrueDelta.com
I’m interested to know what safety features the 3 is lacking, that the Elantra is endowed with. I think they’re on par with each other. I had a 3 wagon, and miss it every day since the lease expired, such a great driving car.
The Boxster must have some sort of magic engine or something if it gets better gas mileage. I just got back from a drive through the North Georgia mountains in my 2006 MX-5 that was mostly hills and curves in 3rd and 4th gear, and got 32mpg for the trip. I find it hard to believe that the heavier six cylinder car gets better than that.
Izaffuto,
Its all about that 6th gear. I get 27-28 routinely in my Boxster S, and it runs the larger of the two engines.
I like the appearance of the new Elantra but I couldn’t rate it above the Mazda 3. Or the new Civic for that matter based on the engine alone.
The 2.0 in the Elantra is reliable, but it is still belt driven meaning a change at 60k if you want to play it safe.
I find it hard to put much weight on a “best pick” when the formula used to pick it is kept secret. I’ve hammered on CR in the past about how they, unlike pretty much any other magazine that compares cars, keeps the formulas used to compare them secret.
Their reponse each time: “It’s just our policy.” Nothing more than that.
https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/editorials/consumer-reports-dirty-little-secret/
How much weight did they give handling? Safety? Whatever? We don’t know.
Or did they divulge the formulas this time around? THAT would be news.
What Mr. Solowiow said.
At freeway speeds (i.e. 80 mph) the poor Miata is buzzing along at 4,000 rpm in 5th, whereas the Boxster’s engine is barely turning.
I did a 4-way test between 70-90 mph and returned an average of 29 mpg in ye olde standard Boxster.
Oh, so it gets better gas mileage cruising on the interstate at 80-90mph? That’s great, but just how much time are you driving these cars that way? If it is a lot, I think you’re kind of missing the point of the car. I don’t get much of a chance to spend time in 6th gear. Hard to take 25mph corners in it without bogging the engine. :p
Jonny – CORRECTION
The E39 BMW 530i received the highest score ever from Consumer Reports – 100/100.
Cretinx:
That’s not what they said, but I don’t doubt it.
Great car, though the 540i was better.
And then there’s that whole E39 M5 guy…